Newsday's sex trafficking expose; Trump hits a low point
New plaques recently have been placed underneath presidential portraits on the Presidential Walk of Fame that President Donald Trump had installed at the White House in September. An autopen is framed where former president Joe Biden's picture would be. Credit: AP/Alex Brandon
Quiet work wins for human trafficking
Newsday’s editorial “Sex trafficking bill falls short” Opinion, Dec. 18] did not consider the work that has been done to fight human trafficking. Suffolk County’s fight against human trafficking is rooted in deliberate, sustained action and broad collaboration.
The past two years, the Suffolk County Anti-Trafficking Initiative (SCATI), working alongside law enforcement, advocates, and legislators, developed legislation to protect victims while ensuring the bill could realistically become law. This legislation reflects extensive hearings, meetings, and presentations. Through that process, gaps in existing enforcement tools were identified and addressed. The result is a bill that received bipartisan support and unanimous approval, with the understanding that it represents a first step, not the final word, in strengthening the county’s response to trafficking.
Suffolk County chose a balanced strategy that demands accountability while encouraging partnership. The hospitality industry has acknowledged the need for improved training and stronger safeguards, and additional measures will be rolled out in the coming year.
The bill introduces concrete, enforceable changes that directly support investigations and prosecutions. For the first time, photo identification is required at hotels and motels, ending the practice of traffickers registering rooms under fictitious names. Security footage shall be retained for 90 days, closing a long-exploited loophole. Records must be digitized to reflect modern investigative needs, and staff training must be documented as required by state law.
SCATI represents a broad coalition of service providers, educators, attorneys, hospitals, faith-based organizations, and government agencies working together to confront trafficking. In Suffolk County, victims are not without support; they are surrounded by professionals committed to their safety, recovery, and long-term stability.
— Chad Lennon, Rocky Point
The writer is Suffolk County legislator for the 6th District.
Trump hits low point, trolling ex-presidents
What a disgraceful thing President Donald Trump has done by putting up plaques with disparaging remarks under the former presidents’ photos [“Trump trolls Biden, Obama in ‘Walk of Fame’ plaques,” Nation, Dec. 19].
I have voted for our presidents since the Dwight Eisenhower era, and every president who ran the White House didn’t do unimaginable things like this president is doing — knocking down the East Wing, paving over the Rose Garden, decorating the Oval Office with “gold,” gaudy adornments, and adding his name to the Kennedy Center.
He needs permission to do most of what he has done but has ignored this. When, if ever, will someone question or stop him from doing all of this?
He doesn’t own the White House; he’s a renter. The people own it, and they should evict him.
— Camille Morselli, Islip Terrace
Donald Trump has hit an all-time low. To have written bronze plaques trolling former Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, referring to them as bad presidents while name-calling and adding put-downs on the Presidential Walk of Fame in the White House has gone too far.
I didn’t hear one elected Republican official demand that the plaques be removed. These plaques, in effect, also put down those who voted for them, and I take offense.
— Joey Rella, Farmingdale
I simply can’t believe the Kennedy Center name change was allowed to happen “Trump-picked board renames Kennedy Center,” Nation, Dec. 19]. It’s ridiculous.
Since it happened, though, I have suggestions for more Washington institutions to be renamed — the Donald Trump Department of Justice and the Donald Trump FBI. These institutions have been corrupted, hopefully not beyond repair.
— Rich Chapman, Smithtown
I am shocked and sick over what this president is doing now to change a memorial building dedicated to a past president. It is unbelievable that he gets away with the things he does that are so unacceptable.
— Gail Kellner, Calverton
So why not the Trump Washington Memorial? The Trump Lincoln Memorial? The Trump Lincoln Gettysburg Address?
— Tom Horan, Yaphank
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